Zuko Komisa
- Matipandile Sotheni appeared in court for the murder of whistle-blower Marius van der Merwe.
- This marks the first arrest by the task team investigating crimes linked to the Madlanga Commission.
- Van der Merwe, known as ‘Witness D’ was killed after testifying about high-level police corruption.
Van der Merwe was a former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department employee and security specialist.
In November, he provided explosive testimony to the Madlanga Commission regarding institutional corruption and a 2023 murder cover-up. He was shot dead outside his home on 5 December, shortly after his appearance.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that investigators have also seized a vehicle suspected of being used in the assassination.
The task team, specifically formed to handle cases arising from the Commission’s probe into criminality within the South African justice system, executed the arrest after obtaining a formal warrant.
Matipandile Sotheni, a former police officer and ex Special Task Force member, has appeared in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court in connection with the murder of Marius van der Merwe.
Van der Merwe, who testified anonymously as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission, was shot outside… pic.twitter.com/E40REn07mI
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) March 16, 2026
The Van der Merwe family claims the suspect arrested for the murder of Marius van der Merwe was known to their son.
Van der Merwe – who testified anonymously as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission – was shot outside his home in December.
The accused appears in the Brakpan… pic.twitter.com/0Vww5I72j5
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) March 16, 2026
The proceedings were briefly adjourned to facilitate a formal bail application.
Sotheni remains in custody, and the case is scheduled to return to the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on 25 March.
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